約伯倫理 第 57 章

Verse 3. — And his possession was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels; five hundred yoke of oxen also, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household. 6. He possessed riches without love of them. — We know that greater losses move the mind to greater grief. Therefore, that it may be shown of how great virtue he was, he is said to have had much which he patiently lost. For nothing is ever lost without grief, save what is possessed without love. And so, while his great substance is described, and yet a little after is reported to have been patiently lost; that which he lost without grief, it is plain, he possessed without love. It is also to be noted that first the riches of the heart, and afterwards the wealth of the body, are described.

For the abundance of things is wont to loosen the mind from divine fear all the more, in proportion as it demands that the mind think upon divers things. For while it is scattered through many things, it is prevented from standing fixed in the inmost parts. This Truth Himself indicated, when He set forth the parable of the sower, saying: 'He that is sown among thorns, this is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful' (Matt. xiii, 22; Luke viii, 7, 8; Mark iv, 7). Behold, blessed Job is both said to possess much, and a little after is reported to serve earnestly the divine sacrifices. 7. He had already forsaken all in his heart.

— Let us consider, then, of what holiness this man was, who had leisure for such assiduous services of God, even when so occupied. Not yet had the power of the precept shone forth which commands that all things be forsaken; but nevertheless blessed Job already kept in his heart the force of that same precept; because assuredly he had forsaken in his mind his substance, which he possessed without delight.